This letter transmits amendments to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules in Chapter 5101:2-49 governing Title IV-E adoption assistance in rules. These amendments are being made as a result of the five-year rule review process. These rules and forms will be effective on July 1, 2024.

The following is a brief explanation of the changes.

All rules and forms have been amended to remove regulatory restrictive words as described in Senate Bill (SB) 9 of the 134^th General Assembly.

All rules were amended to change the reference of all systems to Ohio’s Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (Ohio’s CCWIS). Ohio’s CCWIS is defined as a federally recognized case management information system that state and tribal title IV-E agencies may develop to support their child welfare program needs. Ohio’s CCWIS is designed to support social workers’ needs to organize and record quality case information about the children and families receiving child welfare services. Ohio’s CCWIS consists of several automated functions which are approved by the Children’s Bureau and include but are not limited to: Ohio Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), Ohio Residential Treatment Information System (RTIS), Child and Adult Protective Services (CAPS) Learning Management System (LMS), Taking Early Action Matters (TEAM) Ohio, and Ohio Certification for Agencies and Families (OCAF).

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5101:2-49-06 entitled "Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA) Agreement and Duration: Provision for Financial Support and Services" outlines the criteria of the AA agreement and the duration of the agreement. Revision dates were stricken from the rule.

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5101:2-49-07 entitled "Initial Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA) Agreement Only with No Payment" outlines conditions and procedures for completing an AA agreement with no payment option. Revision dates were stricken from the rule.

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5101:2-49-08 entitled "Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA) Monthly Payment" outlines the procedures for determining when a monthly AA payment shall begin. Revision dates were stricken from the rule.

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5101:2-49-19 entitled "Title XIX Medicaid Coverage for Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA) Eligible Children (COBRA)" outlines the procedures to follow for provisions of Title XIX medical coverage for children eligible for Title IV-E adoption assistance. Revision dates were stricken from the rule.

Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rule 5101:2-49-23 entitled "Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA) Intercounty and Interstate Case Management Responsibility" outlines the requirements for intercounty and interstate adoption assistance case management. Revision dates were stricken from the rule.

INSTRUCTION:

The following chart indicates the materials that should be removed from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and the materials that are to be inserted in the FCASM.